Press Release: The semi-final bout in the cruiserweight edition of the World Boxing Super Series between IBF champion Murat Gassiev (25-0, 18 KOs) and WBA regular title holder Yunier Dorticos (22-0, 21 KOs) takes place at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi, Russia on February 3, 2018. Gassiev, the Russian second seed, earned his spot in the semi-final when he blew away Poland's Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in New Jersey in October with a third-round KO. The Cuban Dorticos, the tournament’s fourth seed, impressed in his quarter-final with a KO victory in the third round over Russia's Dmitri Kudryashov in San Antonio, Texas in September.

Gassiev said, “The location for the semi-final was not important for me, but the fact that it will be in Russia and the beautiful city of Sochi makes me very glad. “This means my family and friends and a lot of people from my home region of Ossetia will be attending. Also, it is always an honor and pleasure to fight in front of my countrymen,” said the 24-year-old.

“Dorticos is a very good dangerous fighter. It is going to be great to test my skills against an opponent like him. I am confident we will deliver great boxing for fans around the world.”

Dorticos predicts another jaw-dropping output against another Russian in the host city of the 2014 Winter Olympics. “I am looking forward to fighting in Sochi. No matter where I fight, I will work hard to take my opponent out.”

The 31 year-old Dorticos who fights out of Miami, Florida, continued, “I believe I am the best in the world and the future winner of the Muhammad Ali Trophy. I can’t wait to show Gassiev and the fans in Russia and all over the world what ‘The KO Doctor’ is about.”

The cruiserweight final of the World Boxing Super Series will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in May 2018. Tickets for the Ali Trophy semi-final between Gassiev and Dorticos are going on sale later this month.

“This fight is a very special one,” said Kalle Sauerland, Comosa’s Chief Boxing Officer. “The level in the Ali Trophy tournament is already of the very highest, but when you have two such decorated boxers with massive KO power then the only guaranteed winner is the fans.